Happy Chinese New Year! This Armani palette will help you celebrate in shimmery style. YSL and MAC both occasionally release items in honor of the holiday (and bothare this year), so I guess Armani is following suit.

The red lacquer case depicts the Chinese symbols for fortune and luck.

Inside, the powder is inscribed with a silhouette of a monkey. I thought this was well-done. While more detail might have been interesting, keeping the design limited to a simple outline is probably the best way to go so that it doesn't veer into cartoon territory.

Those born in a year of the monkey are said to be curious, sociable, mischievous and clever. In fact, China may see a significant increase in births this year since the traits associated with this sign are so desirable.

I guess Couture Monday is a misnomer in this case, as I couldn't find any relationship to Armani's fashion - no special Year of the Monkey capsule collection or anything like that. So in lieu of fashion, today I will bring you some of my favorite monkeys in art. There's even a whole Tumblr devoted to the topic! Some Chinese and Japanese examples.